Teen Read Week Promotes Reading and Literacy Among Teens

Monday

Oct 15, 2012 at 2:44 PM

This week is Teen Read Week, a national program to promote reading and literacy among teens. The theme this year is "It Came from the Library." Ask your youth librarian about library reading events; also, visit teenreadweek.ning.com for more information and ideas.

By VIC NUNEZTHE LEDGER

This week is Teen Read Week, a national program to promote reading and literacy among teens. The theme this year is "It Came from the Library." Ask your youth librarian about library reading events; also, visit teenreadweek.ning.com for more information and ideas.

Teens are often reluctant readers, with all the activities going on at school, keeping up with friends via social media, TV, gaming, learning how to deal with modern life, etc. Encourage your teen to read a book this week. Perhaps a family reading night might work to get them going, or try taking turns reading to one another to share the experience of a book together. Share what you read with your teen, keep plenty of reading material around such as favorite books, also magazines and newspapers, and help them get to the library to choose items that they are interested in.

At the libraries:

AUBURNDALE

Stories, music and songs when Story Time presents "Mother Goose." There are two meetings, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday for age 2, 10:30 a.m. Thursday for ages 3-5.

Family Fun Time 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday. They'll have stories, crafts and snacks in the Children's Room.

"Food for Fines" program continues through the end of October. This fines amnesty program allows you to "pay" your overdue fines with a donation of five non-perishable food items. Proceeds assist the Frostproof Care Center Food Pantry program. Regrets, lost or damaged fees are ineligible for amnesty. Call 635-7857 for more information.

"Bubbles & Bounces" story time for children to age 2 meets 10:30 a.m. Thursday for stories, finger-plays and songs.

Curious Corner Book Club for ages 9-12 meets 4 p.m. Thursday to discuss "A Wrinkle in Time," by Madeleine L'Engle.

LAKE ALFRED

The library won the Libri Foundation grant with support from the Friends of the Library. Raising $350 locally, the Friends leveraged a total grant of $1050 to purchase titles from the Libri booklist and grow the children's literature collection. Thanks also to Ronald and Glenda Herzog for their generous support.

Storytime meets 10 a.m. Wednesday for Book Babies and 10:30 a.m. for Pre-K.

Friends of the Library bookstore is open 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, featuring gently used titles.

"Food for Fines" overdue materials amnesty program starts Monday and continues through Nov. 17. The program allows you to "pay" your overdue fines with a donation of non-perishable food items. Regrets, lost or damaged fees are ineligible for amnesty. Call 291-5378 for more information.

LAKE WALES

Grades 5-8 can read for a patch. Kids read five books in a particular genre and receive a specially designed patch for their accomplishment. Stop by Youth Services for more information.

"Wiggles and Giggles" story time meets 11 a.m. today for music, stories, finger-plays and fun for toddlers through age 3 and caregivers.

"Library Babies" story time meets 11:30 a.m. today for music, stories and fun for infants/walkers and their caregivers.

Chess for Kids meets 2 p.m. today and noon Saturday.

Yoga class meets 5:30 p.m. Wednesday and Monday; there is a nominal fee for this class, payable at the class (cash or check) or at the city cashier's window, 201 W. Central Ave.

Central Florida Hearing Center will be in the library 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday to distribute free amplified telephones to the hard of hearing.

"How to Get Published: Avoiding the Pitfalls" class with Sandy Knowles of Three Rivers Books 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Learn the pros and cons of self-publishing, how to select a publisher, marketing and the post-publication experience. Class fee is $20, registration is open now. For program information, call 294-1323.

Drop-in crafts for kids all day Monday.

LAKELAND

Check www.lakelandgov.net/library for new book alerts.

Need assistance learning to use your new iPad/tablet, Nook/Kindle e-reader? Consider one-on-one tutoring at the Main Library with a librarian. Call 834-4265 for more information.

Teen Day is 3 p.m. today at the Main Library. Come try a classic board game with your friends, take a turn on the Wii, and enjoy a monstrous snack after school.

Miss Angel's Story Time meets 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Larry R. Jackson Branch Library for stories and songs with an international flair.

"Internet Basics" class, meets 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at the E-Library in South Lakeland. Registration is $5 for this class, due at registration. Please call 838-4507 for more information.

Teen Thursday 3:30 p.m. It's game day! Try the PS3 game system; there will be crafts and snacks too.

Coupon Swap meets 11 a.m. Saturday. Pick up free coupons and more. Expired coupons go to an Army base in Germany for soldiers and their families.

They are accepting applications now for their Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 17. Buy table space and sell your crafts. Proceeds go to the Friends of the Library.

POLK CITY

Polk City Library Book Club meets today to discuss "Sandcastle Girls" by Chris Bohjalian.

Join the Halloween fun with "Pumpkins" at Story Time 11 a.m. Thursday.

The library will have a booth at the Polk City Fall Festival Oct. 27.

WINTER HAVEN

Library Book Club meets 4 p.m. today to discuss "The Passion of Artemisia" by Susan Vreeland.

Story times this week include Baby Bookworm 10:30 a.m. Wednesday and Pre-School Story Hour 11 a.m. Wednesday.

Meet Florida author Marshall Frank as he introduces his new crime novel "The Upside to Murder" 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Having a problem figuring out your e-reader, tablet, or laptop? Stop by the library 1-4 p.m. Friday for help.

Reading Education and Development (R.E.A.D.) series meets 2 p.m. Saturday for "Dyslexia for a Day." The READ series are free workshops and seminars to offer information and resources to the public regarding learning concerns and auditory processing disorder.